United States AttorneyDistrict of Connecticut

Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ALEXANDER GARAY, 36, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 22, 2012, GARAY was arrested after he engaged Hartford police officers in a car chase during which he nearly hit an officer, threw bags of heroin out of his car window and forced another individual's vehicle off the road. A subsequent search of GARAY‘s vehicle revealed a Taurus 9 millimeter pistol and an additional quantity of heroin.

The firearm GARAY possessed had been reported stolen from its legal owner in 2006.

Prior to May 2012, GARAY had been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including weapon in a motor vehicle (twice), criminal possession of a firearm, sale of hallucinogens/narcotics, possession of narcotics (twice), and stealing a firearm.

It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Judge Bryant has scheduled sentencing for March 20, 2013, at which time GARAY faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

GARAY has been detained since his arrest by Hartford Police on May 22, 2012.

This case was investigated by the Hartford Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan S. Freimann and Michelle McConaghy.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, and improving the safety of residents of Connecticut's cities.

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Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives United States Department of Justice